Aruba Hotels That'll Make You Want to Book a Caribbean Vacay ASAP

Aruba, an island in the Dutch Caribbean (along Bonaire and Curaçao) might just be the perfect tropical getaway. In addition to white-sand beaches, it also has duty-free shopping, natural attractions, pampering spas, glitzy casinos, and gourmet restaurants — not to mention those cooling trade winds. If you're inspired to plan a trip, the top hotels on Aruba are ready to give you a warm welcome, better known on-island as a bon bini!

This Palm Beach resort has everything needed for a fun-filled tropical getaway, including tube-riding and parasailing, a large lagoon-style pool with a swim-up bar, and a casino, where you can try your luck at the slots or at the tables. There's also the Indonesian-inspired Mandara Spa and the adult-only H2Oasis pool, complete with comfy cabanas.

On Eagle Beach, a quieter stretch just south of Palm Beach, is Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, a luxury adult-only hideaway that's popular with honeymooners. After exploring the island's arid interior — dotted with towering cacti called cadushi — and visiting the charming Alto Vista Chapel, have a romantic dinner under a palapa right on the sand.

On the northern end of Palm Beach, this Ritz-Carlton resort is one of the island's most luxurious spots. After a morning of catching some rays and lunching on fish tacos and rum punches at Madero Latin Grill, indulge in a hot stone massage in the spa before heading to BLT Steak for a surf and turf dinner of filet mignon and grilled lobster.

If boutique hotels are more your thing, consider Boardwalk Small Hotel Aruba, set amidst a historic coconut grove. There are just 13 cottages, each with its own kitchen, Aruban artwork, and a patio with a barbecue. There's also a small pool and plenty of nooks with hammocks to fall into total relaxation mode. Plus, Palm Beach is just 10 minutes down the road.

At the Renaissance Aruba Beach Resort & Casino, you have the best of both worlds. It's located in the capital of Oranjestad, and it's walking distance to duty-free shops and top restaurants like Wilhelmina. It also has a private island, reached via water taxi, where you can chill on a lounger and swim in a beach alongside pink flamingoes!

Active types will dig the Hyatt Regency Aruba. In addition to daily scheduled activities like tennis clinics, beach combing, and happy hour at Piet's Pier Bar (a great spot for sunset), you can sign up for snorkeling trips and catamaran sailings. There are five restaurants, including seafood at the Palms Restaurant and Italian at Cafe Piccolo.

This boutique hotel, within walking distance of Eagle Beach and restaurants, is one of Aruba's most affordable options. The basic but comfortable rooms, centered around a pool, come with mini-fridges and microwaves. Because you're saving on the room, be sure to book a two-hour Mi Dushi sunset cruise with snacks and unlimited rum punches!

Eagle Beach's family-owned Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort is known for its Dutch Colonial architecture of yellow low-rise buildings with red terra cotta roofs. After a day on the wide palapa-studded beach and dinner at Mango's (try the almond-crusted grouper), it's just a 10-minute taxi ride to the casinos and nightlife of Palm Beach.

There's plenty to do to keep you busy at Hotel Rui Palace Aruba, a sprawling all-inclusive on Palm Beach. By day, you can use the water sports equipment, take a stroll along the powder-soft sand, and meet fellow guests over margaritas at the swim-up bar. Once the sun sinks below the horizon, hit the casino for a few hands of blackjack.